Épisodes

  • Tybee Arts Association Made Space for Creativity and Belonging on Tybee Island with Renee DeRossett

    Tybee Arts Association Made Space for Creativity and Belonging on Tybee Island with Renee DeRossett
    Oct 15 2026

    In this episode of Tybee Remembers When, host Kelsey Chandler interviews Renee DeRossett about her first visits to Tybee, her move to the island, and how Tybee’s nature and community drew her back—especially Little Tybee.

    View photos from this episode: {PHOTOS}

    Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:

    Tybee Historical Society on Facebook

    Tybee Historical Society on Instagram

    Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company

    You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.

    DONATE HERE

    By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story

    Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"

    This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.

    Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives

    All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

    FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

    00:00 Podcast Intro

    00:40 Meet Renee

    01:14 First Tybee Visit

    02:04 Tybee Whee Memories

    03:43 Little Tybee Love

    04:07 Fannys On The Beach

    06:25 Theater Roots

    08:59 Dreaming Post Theater

    10:59 Arts Association Begins

    12:31 Building Black Box

    13:19 Early Players Legacy

    14:36 Challenges Without Venue

    15:31 Big Gym Productions

    17:28 Tech Talent Nick Correa

    19:13 Kim Trammell Partnership

    24:43 Favorite Roles Directors

    26:40 Why Tybee Theater Works

    27:27 Tour de Art and Listening Rooms

    29:12 Artist Colony Roots

    30:35 Losing the Art Center

    33:24 Why Black Box Matters

    35:07 Youth Camps and Confidence

    38:36 Building the Post Theater

    40:55 Tybee Got Talent Legacy

    44:21 Tybee Loves Tybee

    45:41 Tourism and Community Loss

    49:17 Keeping Arts Alive

    51:13 Future and Getting Involved

    54:15 Closing Thanks and Lighthouse
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    56 min
  • Tybee Time was the Perfect Summer Escape with Mike Braswell

    Tybee Time was the Perfect Summer Escape with Mike Braswell
    Oct 1 2026

    In this Tybee Remembers When interview, Michael Hugh “Mike” Braswell recalls childhood trips to Tybee Island tied to his father’s house-moving work and the freedom of walking to Chu’s and the Tybee Market, including a failed attempt to buy his dad beer at age five.

    View photos from this episode: {PHOTOS}

    Enhanced and decorative images were created by Mike Braswell

    Other images were of his family’s building moving business and his time on Tybee

    Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:

    Tybee Historical Society on Facebook

    Tybee Historical Society on Instagram

    Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company

    You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.

    DONATE HERE

    By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story

    Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"

    This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.

    Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives

    All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

    FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

    00:00 Podcast Intro

    00:40 Meet Mike Braswell

    01:43 Spearman Arms Memories

    04:08 Chews Store Beer Run

    05:43 Tybee Childhood Freedom

    06:57 Spearman Legacy

    08:39 Fishing Pier Mentor

    11:16 Shark Raft Mishap

    14:29 689 Pound Shark Saga

    27:33 Cool Bus And Hurricane

    29:50 Old Tybee Carnival Days

    31:44 Quiet Beach Days

    32:05 Christys Lunch Counter

    32:29 Wrestlers Off Season

    34:18 Seashell Tower Tale

    36:34 Crab Neck Nickname

    37:13 Fishing Lifelong Passion

    37:58 Moving Near Tybee

    38:46 First Mate Adventures

    40:40 Bikini Contest Videos

    43:36 Sleeping Under Pavilion

    45:51 House Moving Legacy

    49:02 Chapel Movie Set Move

    49:59 Gilliard Cottage Pride

    50:31 North Beach Memories

    53:30 Why Tybee Calls Back

    55:21 Living By The Tides

    56:49 Support The Lighthouse
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    58 min
  • The Hosti Girls Grew Up

    The Hosti Girls Grew Up
    Sep 17 2026

    The Hosti sisters are the daughters of Ernest and Dot Hosti. Ernest was one of 9 children of Henri Leo Hosti of Strasbourg and Helen Elizabeth Hohnerlein of Berlichingen, Germany.

    Henri/Henry allegedly jumped ship in Savannah where he eventually met Helen. Henry was known to be a talented pianist and cook who was eventually employed by the Savannah Police Department. At the time of his WWI draft registration at 38 years old he was a naturalized citizen and working as a ship fitter. and Helen was largely a homemaker but also ran a neighborhood grocery store at times.

    The couple were devoutly Catholic and lived in Savannah but did come to Tybee at least once in their young adulthood. Many of their surviving children settled at Tybee following the post-WWII housing shortage and family business ventures with one brother establishing the Tybee Market. The family continues to live in the area today.

    Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:

    Tybee Historical Society on Facebook

    Tybee Historical Society on Instagram

    Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company

    You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.

    DONATE HERE

    By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story

    Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"

    This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.

    Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives

    All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

    FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

    00:00 Podcast Intro

    00:43 Meet the Hosti Sisters

    02:22 Why the Family Moved

    04:38 Inside Tybee Market Days

    05:40 Animals and Home Life

    07:28 First Tybee Memories

    10:58 Bonfires and Old Neighbors

    14:04 Fort Play and Hurricanes

    17:12 Attic Bands and Parties

    20:41 Getting Around and School

    22:53 Life at St Michaels

    25:59 City Fun and Brass Rail

    28:30 Triangle Drive In Hangouts

    30:18 North End vs South End

    32:13 Music Spots and Girl Scouts

    39:09 Black Families and Aunt Bertha

    44:07 Crabbing With Neighbors

    44:56 Family Tales And Aunt Faye

    46:24 Grandma Hosti Memories

    47:26 Triangle Nights And Uncle Jack

    49:28 Old Phones And Island Families

    50:18 Mary Jones And Close Calls

    51:24 How Tybee Changed

    52:28 Bars Shrimpers And Lazaretto

    57:01 Best Memories Cook Shack

    59:24 Remembering Tybee Characters

    01:04:55 Old Restaurants And Local Lore

    01:07:09 Rules Crowds And Community

    01:16:13 Tybee Identity And Rising Costs

    01:20:48 Final Thanks And Support
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 22 min
  • We Painted the Island Green: Tybee’s Irish Heritage and the Irish Heritage Parade | Jay Burke

    We Painted the Island Green: Tybee’s Irish Heritage and the Irish Heritage Parade | Jay Burke
    Sep 3 2026

    Jay Burke, chairman of the Tybee Island St. Patrick’s Day Irish Heritage Committee, talks about founding and running the Tybee Island Irish Heritage Parade, with the 24th parade planned for 2027 on the Saturday before Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Burke explains how the parade began from a challenge, his goal to start Tybee’s tourist season earlier, and how volunteers, the Marine Rescue Squadron, Savannah parade adjutants, and the City of Tybee support logistics, safety, and food for kids and bands.

    Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:

    Tybee Historical Society on Facebook

    Tybee Historical Society on Instagram

    Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company

    You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.

    DONATE HERE

    By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story

    Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"

    This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.

    Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives

    All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

    FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

    00:00 Podcast Introduction

    00:41 Meet Jay Burke

    01:12 Parade Committee Basics

    02:46 How It All Started

    08:54 Keeping It Community

    11:43 Growth And Safety

    15:25 Food And Volunteers

    16:35 Burke Family Roots

    20:00 McElwees And DeSoto Days

    23:53 North End Childhood

    25:02 Tybee Changes Over Time

    28:43 Irish Catholic Community

    30:50 Work Life And City Growth

    33:45 Island Faith Community

    35:06 What Makes Tybee

    36:25 Parade Family Tradition

    38:00 Safety And Barricades

    40:24 Launching Tybee Parade

    42:45 Keeping It Small

    44:44 Partners And Bands

    47:27 Curveballs And Conflicts

    53:05 Challenges And Committee

    57:18 Teaching Irish History

    01:01:13 Biggest Successes

    01:04:09 Passing The Torch
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 6 min
  • Fish Tales, Fort Tales, and Family Memories Shaped an Island’s Post WWII Community with Tony Heidt

    Fish Tales, Fort Tales, and Family Memories Shaped an Island’s Post WWII Community with Tony Heidt
    Aug 20 2026

    Tony Heidt, born April 23, 1935, in Savannah (Telfair Hospital) recalls how his family began renting on Tybee before his father bought a raised Dr. Harris house for $2,700, sparking a lifelong attachment to Tybee. He describes courting stories, childhood summers barefoot on the island, and World War II memories: Coast Guard horseback patrols with submachine guns, Pearl Harbor at age six, rumors of spies, and exploring Fort Screven after restrictions lifted, including the Post Theater.

    This video depicts Bones Tattnall and his son, Pompey, both mentioned in Mr. Heidt’s recollections: https://www.facebook.com/reel/757879720310909

    Depiction of signage in the 1950s-early 1960s: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19RiRjJZZT/

    Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:

    Tybee Historical Society on Facebook

    Tybee Historical Society on Instagram

    Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company

    You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.

    DONATE HERE

    By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story

    Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"

    This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.

    Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives

    All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 5 min
  • "Moose" Helmy Went from Rum Runner to Fishing Charter Legend | Captain Judy Helmy

    "Moose" Helmy Went from Rum Runner to Fishing Charter Legend | Captain Judy Helmy
    Aug 6 2026
    Savannah’s Prohibition story begins before national Prohibition. Georgia passed a statewide prohibition law in 1907, becoming the first southern state to do so, and Georgia remained dry until 1935, even after national repeal in 1933. Savannah…and the larger “Free State of Chatham,” however, remained “as dry as the middle of the Atlantic.” (or as wet as the highway on a king tide). On Tybee bars, bootleg liquor, gambling, and dancing led the economy even in the off season. Tybee is a place you can go to escape, and it was a place to escape legal action well before it was a fully-fledged resort community. Tybee and Savannah’s riverfront, marshes, barrier islands, creeks, and inland routes created a near-perfect logistics network for rum running and saltmarsh moonshine-making. Historical accounts describe liquor arriving by larger vessels offshore and being moved inland by smaller boats that could slip through marsh channels and evade enforcement. That network was not merely local mischief. Federal reporting later identified Savannah as the site of a major conspiracy investigation, with more than fifty agents assigned during 1922 and 142 people sentenced by the summer of 1924. Local reporting on the August 1923 raid describes it as one of the largest bootlegging crackdowns in the country. Sherman “Moose” Helmy fell into the booze trade by accident, rigging cars for smuggling, but the marshes and waterways remained a part of his life and his bootlegging career was replaced with boating. Prohibition created demand for people who knew engines, boats, waterways, and concealment. Mechanics, boatmen, drivers, dockworkers, and coastal families formed the connective tissue of the illegal alcohol economy. When Prohibition ended, some of those same skills remained valuable in legal maritime work: vessel maintenance, navigation, tide knowledge, weather judgment, client handling, and risk management. He passed along the early history fish tales to his daughter, Judy, and passed along his knowledge of fishing as well. “Kicking fish tail,” since age 5 at her fathers’ side, Judy Helmy is one of the longest-operating women in the local maritime industry. This is her family’s story… This is Tybee Remembers When... Judy explains that her first boat was a batteau with an Evinrude motor. Batteaux were popular flat-bottomed rowboats that could be utilized with oars and/or a small motor. Edward “Bones” Tattnall rented batteaux from a Tybee fish camp, taking people out on the water as well. This video from our archives shows this type of vessel in action with Mr. Tattnall taking members of the Kaminsky family out on the water: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AeYakr9ro/. These were popular boats for kids who wanted to navigate marshes and waterways close to home. Miss Judy has a history of their charter company with pictures on her charter website: https://missjudycharters.com/about-us/ and is the author of several books. Sherman Helmy’s draft card (VIEW PHOTO HERE). Sherman Israel Helmy is listed on the 1930 census as residing and owning a home on Savannah Beach (Tybee), although he would later move to Wilmington Island, Georgia. Learn more about Women in the Maritime Industry: https://www.nps.gov/safr/learn/historyculture/maritimewomenhistory.htm Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode: Tybee Historical Society on Facebook Tybee Historical Society on Instagram Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know. DONATE HERE By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go" This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024. Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    55 min
  • The Captain Met the Kids: How Cap Walsh Helped Cecil and Elizabeth Johnson Build a Life on Tybee's Waters

    The Captain Met the Kids: How Cap Walsh Helped Cecil and Elizabeth Johnson Build a Life on Tybee's Waters
    Jul 23 2026

    For Captains Cecil and Elizabeth Johnson, Tybee Island became more than a destination—it became home. In this episode, they share stories of growing up around Tybee, building a life on the water, launching a charter fishing business, and the lasting influence of legendary captain Charlie Walsh. From shrimp boats and offshore adventures to the origins of the Tour de Lights and unforgettable moments on the water, this conversation captures the people, traditions, and maritime heritage that helped shape modern Tybee.

    This is Tybee Remembers When ...

    Cecil Johnson grew up coming to Tybee. Elizabeth Lynch grew up in Iowa…pretty far from the island where she makes a living and a life on the water alongside her husband Cecil. Learning from local legends like Captain Charlie Walsh, the couple founded Tybee Island Charters in 1985. They continue to boat, fish, and live life on the water. Tybee Island Charters website: https://www.fishtybee.com/

    Resources to learn more about boating safety: Boat-ED Georgia DNR

    Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:

    Tybee Historical Society on Facebook

    Tybee Historical Society on Instagram

    Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company

    You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.

    DONATE HERE

    By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story

    Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"

    This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.

    Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives

    All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 1 min
  • LOCAL VOICES LOST: Blanche Solomon - Recorded April 17, 1986

    LOCAL VOICES LOST: Blanche Solomon - Recorded April 17, 1986
    Feb 22 2025

    FROM THE ARCHIVES: Mrs. Blanche Solomon of Tybee Island. Recorded April 17, 1986. This is Tybee Remembers When ...

    TYBEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GIVES A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THIS SEASON TO SOUTHERN BELLE VACATION RENTALS AND TYBEE REAL ESTATE COMPANY.

    Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:

    Tybee Historical Society on Facebook

    Tybee Historical Society on Instagram

    Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company

    You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.

    DONATE HERE

    By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story

    Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"

    This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.

    Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives

    All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 24 min